The Elephant Gate

Kevin's life fell into a routine. Four times per week, his afternoons would be spent training: two at the elephant pavilion; one at the equine facility; and one with the troops in the barracks learning simple hand-to-hand fighting techniques. Before long, there was little left of the confused and lost boy. The exertions and physical labor gave him self-confidence and poise.

He also began a growth spurt, leaving Khun Mattaya despairing of keeping him in clothes and shoes.

Almost in a flash, a year had gone by. Captain Thadchai decided to use the date of his arrival as his son's birthday. In fact, it considered that day, when Noy Kevin first entered his life, as one of the luckiest.

Kevin's affinity for animals was amazing and seemed almost limitless. He was able to empathize and interact with many creatures. But it was with the elephants that he truly shined. His communication amounted to conversations, not just mere concepts. Although he and the two lead handlers tried to keep the boy's skills under wraps, the other workers spread stories between each other of the outsider who could talk to the elephants. So far the boy seemed unaware, but Thadchai was sure it couldn't be kept secret forever.

He touched the pile of clothes on the bed in front of him. A complete elephant soldier's uniform in Kevin's size, a gift from Khun Mattaya. The palace was planning a small party to celebrate this milestone, but he wanted his own quiet celebration at home. Khun Mat had cooked several of his favorite foods and made a small birthday pastry for lunch.

"Hallo!" The familiar call rang out in the hallway, and Thadchai broke out into a smile. His son was home from school!

He walked briskly to the front door to welcome him, only to come up short. Khun Joy was with him. At the sight of the school teacher, all thoughts fled. In the past year, he had gone from a nodding acquaintance with the pretty schoolteacher, to admiration, to something even more tender. He was careful to always remain cordial and professional. After all, men his age didn't have crushes.

"Welcome home, Kevin. And good afternoon, Khun Joy." Kevin ran and gave him a hug, a ritual from that other place that once made him uncomfortable, but now something he loved from his son.

"I asked Khun Joy if she was willing to have birthday lunch with us. I hoped you don't mind, Thadchai Dad."

The captain smiled and ruffled his hair, now almost at the height of his eyes. "Of course not. I'm sure Khun Mattaya made plenty. Why don't you go upstairs and clean up, and I'll let her know you are home so she can get everything ready."

The gangling boy nodded and raced up the stairs, leaving the two staring out each other. After an awkward moment, Thadchai cleared his throat.

"Would you like to sit down in the den?" She looked at him in confusion, and he corrected himself.

"That's what Noy Kevin originally called our sitting room, so the name stuck." Feeling slightly embarrassed, he led her to the room. Once they sat down, again there was silence. He decided to land on a safe topic. "How is Kevin doing nowadays?"

She relaxed as well. "He is doing perfectly well, as you know. And since we have had a little extra time while the princess corrects her work, I've been teaching him a few fingerings on the piano. Nothing too complicated, just a way to get him comfortable."

Thadchai nodded. He was already aware of this. There were no secrets between the two of them, even from the beginning except for the personal details of Kevin's life. She only knew that he came from a mysterious distant land.

"You can teach him whatever he is willing to learn. I appreciate your efforts in the past year to educate him."

"He is a very nice boy." She replied. "Still, I've always wondered what country he came from, and how he arrived here. It seems strange that he doesn't have parents anywhere. Do you know if he is an orphan?"

Thad was slow to answer. He did not want any lies between them, and yet Kevin's mysterious circ.u.mstances were closely guarded. Only a few close and trusted people knew all the details. So he hedged.

"His parents placed Kevin in our care for an indeterminate amount of time. It's possible he may stay with us forever."

The woman nodded, a sympathetic light in her eyes. On impulse she placed her hand on his arm; he looked at it with surprise but felt her warmth soak through his skin.

"It must be hard to take care of him, knowing he may leave some day. And I know you love him." He looked up into her earnest eyes, chagrined. She squeezed his arm, and he felt like squirming.

He was saved from saying anything by the thunderous sound of feet down the stairs. "Dad! Dad! Did you see what is on my bed? It's awesome!"

"Happy birthday, son," he replied gruffly. He stood up just in time as the boy barrelled into him for a hard hug.

"Thanks, Dad! It's great!" At times like this, Kevin fell back on his previous way of speaking. "Can I try it on now? Can I?" To his amus.e.m.e.nt, his son bounced on the balls of his feet.

"Let's wait until after lunch. Khun Mattaya wants to see you in uniform too."

* * *

Thad tucked Kevin in that night, a rare treat as the boy was getting big, thriving under Khun Mattaya's cooking. The work at the training facilities had contributed to a strong back, but he still had some filling out to do. Still, he was out like a light tonight, worn out from the excesses of his party.

He gave a final pat to his son's head before leaving.